Exposed Reality
Young people create audio-visual exhibition on identity and community
Young people from Newham’s Forest Gate Youth Zone collaborated with Stratford East to create an audio-visual exhibition which explores identity and the community in the borough.
Thirty-five young people worked with Stratford East and other independent artists to co-create the exhibition for the Newham Unlocked festival.
They documented their experiences and thoughts about living in Newham through writing short poems and making audio-recordings.
A photographer followed the young creators and documented their whole journey, which was then put together into a short movie and premiered at Stratford Picture House.
Members of the public, friends, families and council stall were also able to see the exhibition at Forest Gate Library and said that they were impressed with the talent and inspiration young people demonstrated in the film.
On one of the audio recordings, you can hear a young lady expressing her feelings about identity, which proved very moving.
She said: “When I see myself, I smile. I spend my time trying to be great. And now is my time to shine. It’s nice to be proud, to be recognised.
“To experience that feeling of being a leader, a person, a star, a role model. Somebody who betters the world and somebody who is determined to be better. “
The creation of the audio-visual content has given young people the opportunity to unfold their talents and explore the boundaries of their creative thinking.
The audio tapes are now permanently accessible through a QR code and available to anyone who is interested in listening to young people speaking about their identity within the community.
Big posters and cards that were used to advertise the project are now at a permanent display at Forest Gate Youth Zone.